Stage Is Set For Womens World Cup of Golf

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The LPGA kicks off its inaugural Women's World Cup of Golf tournament this week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Thirty-two of the top female professionals from around the globe will be on hand at the host Mines Resort and Golf Club, including five of the top-10 money winners from the 2000 season, promising that this first-time event will be a success.

In fact, undisputed No. 1 player in the world Karrie Webb will be on hand, so you know the week will be interesting. She will pair up with fellow Australian Rachel Hetherington in this three-day venue, which pits 16 two-player teams from different nations of the world against one another.

Day one will feature a foursomes format, followed up with second day fourball play. During the final day, each member of the team will play a regulation 18-hole round; the two members' scores will then be combined for a 36-hole total, with this number added to the first two days' scores for a concluding 72-hole final tally.

The winning team will ultimately take home a first-place prize of $200,000 from a total purse of $1 million.

Other nations competing in the event include Sweden (featuring Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam), England, Canada, Japan, Italy and Korea.

Just in case you were wondering, the United States will enter the event very well prepared. Veteran Meg Mallon will team up with newly inducted Hall of Famer Juli Inkster in their quest for the Cup.